Deals

LAST UPDATED: 11/09/2024

If you are interested purchasing your own equipment, here are some thoughts and links to consider:

Concerning classic skis, look for WAXABLE. Do not purchase fish scale or skin skis.

Concerning ski length: There was a time when skis were sold based on the skier's height. That is no longer the case. Purchase skis based on the supported skier weight range. It is VERY important that the ski length fits your skier's weight! If you expect your skier to gain weight over the next 2 years, aim to get a length where the current body weight is at the lower end. You will probably need to go to the manufacturer's website to find the ski length corresponding to body weight. Be sure to look up the correct model, and don't assume that a length of one model correlates to the same weight range on another model.

Brands:

Fischer: is by far the best brand out there; pricing is always high - definitely not a budget ski. Nearly all pro skier use Fischer skis.

Models to be considered in order: SCS (entry level, beginner only); Aerolite 60-90 (developing racer with a budget, around $425 (2023: as low as $300 with bindings), the higher the number the better the ski); It has a great base and is snappy; Aerolite was preceded by RCR in the past; RCS Skate (best budget, great race ski, few years ago was the highest end ski, maybe $550'ish?), Carbonlite, Speed Max, and Speed Max 3D (if you can afford it, go for it! $800++, SpeedMax is the best ski you can purchase, with the demand on the skier being low (meaning you don't have to be a really good skier to use this ski well))

Rossignol: After Fischer the next best brand. Pricing can be very competitive.

Models to consider: Delta COMP (developing racer with a true budget limit, package deal with binding and boots for under $500), Delta COURSE $450 (midprice, lighter than COMP due to carbon laminate, easy to balance) X-IUM (great ski, pricing can really differ; flex is stiffer than Delta course which requires a better expert skier but pays of with more stability),

Salomon: this French company has a long tradition in the ski market. Most of our skiers last year were on entry level Atomics. They have RS7 (Skate) and RC7 (Classic) skis. These skis are entry level for racing and lack robustness - so if you are a heavy or powerful skier this might not be the right choice. I don't like Salomon bindings because they are hard to use on a wax table due to the long lever. However, Salomon skis are competitively priced and they have a range of skis for all levels and budget. Jessie Diggins is sponsord by Salomon and races on their top line ski. The RS ski models are considered "endurance" by Salomon, and the S/ models are considered race skis.

Model: RS7 / RC7 (entry level budget); RS8 (upgrade from RS7), RS10 (intermediate), S/Max (advanced), S/Race, and top end S/Lab Carbon (extremely light, low lying, super fast; superior in direct power transmission)

Atomic: better known in the downhill community, Atomic used to be a very successful brand in Nordic skiing but in recent years they became more fringe.

Models: Pro S1 (beginner), Redster S5, Redster S7 $530, Redster S8 $575 (easy skiing ski), Redstar S9/C9 (top).

Madsush: This Norwegian company isn't as known in the US. I never tried them because I don't like the company name, which is obviously a bad reason to not consider. Active Pro ($321) good for developing skier; dependable; strong sidecut gives cornering stability; Their ENDURACE SKATE model ($355) has raving reviews as an everyday ski; while heavier than their Race Pro Skate it has the same race geometry; This model model is great for anyone below an expert skier.

Models: Active Skate/Classic, Active Pro, Race Pro, Endurance line, Redline (glides well on flat terrain - great for less technical less powerful individuals).

Kaestle: They showed up in Casper at the ski swap. They are trying to enter the Nordic ski market. I haven't tried them but reviews look very promising. The RX10 is light; Ideally you are a powerful skier to make use of them. The XP30 ($399) is praised for its stability, one tester describing it as nearly having metal edges.

Peltonen: Finish company, for the first time in 2024 on US market. Supra C ($550) well rounded for recreational and advanced racer. Lively, responsive, agressive, fast, coners easy. great for downhill, slow on uphill.